Members of a church in Puddletown are cycling 800km on a static bicycle to raise money for the village’s play area.

The congregation of St Mary’s Church are putting their pedals to the metal in a bid to help improve the village’s play area, which is in need of new facilities and play equipment.

This year, the church’s focus of Lent is pilgrimage and they have used the film The Way to provoke thoughts and reflections.

The film follows Tom who walks the Camino de Santiago route from St Jean de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, which is the equivalent of around 800km. Tom undergoes this pilgrimage to retrace the steps of his son, who died while on the same path.

The church started its challenge on Ash Wednesday and aims to beat the challenge by Easter.

Emma Hughes, lay worship leader of St Mary’s Church said: “Anyone can join in. The bike is set up in the church and there is a log book to log your distance.

She also explained where the idea for the challenge came from and said: “The church thought it needed to do something more directly for the younger ones in the village.

“I would like to encourage people to come along, we need the miles.”

If you would like to sponsor those taking part in the challenge visit www.sponsorme.co.uk/sarahhillman/cycling-the-camino.aspx